JERUSALEM – The Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem has expressed deep concern and disappointment that the proposed resolution on the recognition of the genocide committed against Armenians was excluded from the voting agenda of the Israeli Parliament, the Knesset.

In its statement, the Patriarchate emphasized that it is unacceptable for foreign policy considerations to influence Israel’s internal legislative processes. It described as particularly alarming the possibility that, according to the statement, the authorities of Azerbaijan, who are responsible for the forced displacement of more than 120,000 Armenians from Artsakh, may influence issues discussed in the Knesset.

The statement reaffirmed that the genocide committed against Armenians is a historically proven and undeniable fact, and that its recognition should not be subject to political interests. The Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem called on Israel to officially recognize the genocide committed against Armenians and join the countries that have already recognized the first genocide of the 20th century.

At the same time, the Patriarchate once again called on Turkey to accept the historical truth, recognize the genocide committed against Armenians, and abandon its policy of denial, emphasizing that genuine and lasting reconciliation is possible only on the basis of historical justice.